This volume is designed to present biographical, critical, and bibliographical information on Maya Angelou and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and her other autobiographical works. Following Harold Bloom's introduction, there appears a detailed biography of the author, discussing major events in her life and her important literary works. Then follows a thematic and structural analysis of the works, in which significant themes, patterns, and motifs are traced. An annotated list of characters supplies brief information on the chief characters in the works. A selection of critical extracts, derived from previously published material from leading critics, then follows. The extracts consist of statements by the author on her works, early reviews of the works, and later evaluations down to the present day. The items are arranged chronologically by date of first publication. A bibliography of Angelou's writings (including a complete listing of all books she has written, co-written, edited, and translated), a list of additional books and articles on her and on her autobiographical works, and an index of themes and ideas conclude the volume.